Broken Smile

Broken Smile

The rain beats of the large windows while the wind howled but did not reach the ears of Hermione. She lay motionless in the hospital bed, every inch of her body hurt, bruising had started to form all over but some bruising you can’t see for every time she closed her eyes she saw him.

Hermione’s dark brown hair lay across the pillow in waves, she moved restlessly in her sleep, reliving her nightmare. “How is she?” asked Professor Dumbledore watching the young woman with such sadness.

“Madam Pomfrey said she would be fine, other then bruising she should make a full Recovery" Professor McGonagall said as a few tears fell. Dumbledore took a tissue from his pocket and dabbed her eyes “Oh Albus, this is all my fault, I should have never…” “Come Minerva, we have to be strong for Miss Granger’s sake” Dumbledore said taking Professor McGonagall by the arm and leading her out of the hospital wing.

A few hours later Hermione awoke, she sat up feeling pain especially around her inner thighs; she looked around and noticed that the hospital wing was empty. Hermione could see moonlight coming through the large windows, Madam Pomfrey came out of her office “Miss Granger, your awake” she said making her way over to Hermione.

Hermione rapped the bedcovers around herself, she felt so cold, so dirty, so alone. “How are you feeling?” Madam Pomfrey asked, Hermione didn’t answer she just stared at her hands “Has that pain relief potion wore off? Hermione still didn’t answer; she lay back down and looked away from Madam Pomfrey. The pain that she felt physically was nothing that compared to the pain she felt mentally. “I’ll get you a sleeping potion, you must have as much rest a possible” Madam Pomfrey said leaving Hermione’s bedside.

Hermione had slept for a while; she awoke to the sounds of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley’s voices. Arthur, Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey stood talking while Molly approach Hermione slowly. Hermione sat up carefully, tears already slipping down her cheeks, seeing Molly made her think of Ron not that he ever left her thoughts.

Tears over took Molly, she moved quickly towards Hermione and gathered her in her arms. Hermione and Molly both broke down completely, they cried for Ron, for Harry and they cried for one another. Arthur came over and held them while they cried.

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Madam Pomfrey released Hermione from the hospital wing and allowed her to go home with the Weasley. Hermione refused to talk about what happen in the dungeon that night with Lucius Malfoy. She can still feel his touch, still hear his laugh and still sees him every time she closing her eyes. She was told to take as long as she needed away from school.

Lucius Malfoy had r, be, beaten and left Hermione for dead, only for Professor Snape Lucius Malfoy would still walk the earth. Hermione hadn’t spoken much since that night; she would just stare into thin air, thinking about better days.

Hermione arrived at the Burrow around seven in the evening; the house was a little cold as she walked through the front door. Mrs. Weasley had her arm around Ginny “why don’t girls take your bags up stairs and I’ll make some hot chocolate” Mrs. Weasley said rubbing Ginny’s back.

Hermione open her bedroom door; she walked in dropping her bag by the bed. She notices a blue jumper on her bed, Ron’s jumper, she picked up his jumper and held it close to her chest, breathing in his scent.

Most people had started celebrating already, the war was over, Voldemort was dead. Hermione had nothing to celebrate; this war had taking everything from her, Lucius Malfoy had broken her once again.

Hermione got change into baggie pajamas and put Ron’s jumper on as tears fell from her eyes, it made her feel as if he was with her. Hermione dried her eyes and made her way down stairs, Ginny sat between Mr. and Mrs. Weasley on the sofa. The house was so quite, so different without Harry and Ron. Every time Hermione thought about them tears came to her eyes.

Hermione watched all three Weasley, the way they sat close together trying to support one another, they looked as broken as Hermione felt. Life holds many hidden doors; behind some of those doors hold fun and adventure but other doors hold pain and sorrow.

Hermione knew pain and sorrow all to well, this war has took her parents and two of the most important men in her life away from her. Lucius Malfoy has scared Hermione, scares that will never fad; she has a broken smile once again.

Arthur noticermiormione standing at the door, he smiles at her “come here” he said, she walks over slowly and sits in-between Arthur and Ginny, Molly reaches over Ginny and took hold of Hermione’s hand.

Hermione felt numb, Lucius Malfoy would always haunt her soul, she will never truly live without fear, know matter how much the Weasley’s love her she will be forever broken.

Hermione and Ginny made the way to bed a little before eleven, Hermione felt even sorer as she climbee ste stairs “Good night Hermione” “Good night Ginny” Hermione said closing her door.

Hermione had just climbed into bed when her bedroom door open “Can I sleep in here tonight?” Ginny asked in a small voice, Hermione pulled back the bedcovers “Sure” she replied. Ginny had taking Ron and Harry’s deaths hard, Ron and Ginny were very close and Hermione knew how much Ginny loved Harry.

Hermione realized she would have to look out for Ginny now, just like Ron use to. Both young women lay on the backs looking up at the ceiling.
“Hermione”
“Yeah”
“I’m sorry,” Ginny said making Hermione look at her questionable, “For what?” Hermione asked. “For not being there…to help you…he hurt you” Ginny said while tears slipped down her cheeks, Hermione turned on her side and gathered Ginny in her arms “Sshh, its not your fault, you couldn’t have know” Hermione said through tears as she held Ginny. Hermione knew she would have to be strong for the both of them “Sshh, everything going to be ok, I promise” Hermione said rocking Ginny lightly.

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“Come back” Hermione called as she run down the street she used to live on, “slow down”. Hermione could see a little boy in distdistance, every time she gained upon him he seemed be further away. Hermione could hear the little boy giggling as he ran into her old house “No, don’t go in there” she yelled after him. Hermione looked up at her parent’s bedroom window but Lucius Malfoy wasn’t there this time, the little boy stood in Malfoy place.

Hermione awoke rubbing her eyes; Ginny still was snuggled against her so she tried to not more around too much. Hermione rested her eyes for a little until she felt Ginny stir. Ginny’s eyes fluted open; she moved around and lent on Hermione stomach “Ow” Hermione moaned. Ginny sat up “I’m sorry” Ginny said realizing what she had done, “Its ok, I’m just a little sore,” Hermione said unable to keep eye contact with Ginny.

The voices coming from down stairs broke the short silence. “Their home” Ginny said climbing out of Hermione’s beds quickly and heading down stairs. Hermione got out of bed slowly; she still had Ron’s jumper on as she made her way down stairs.

Hermione could hear Bill and the twins in the kitchen, she knew she would have to face them at one point but she felt so ashamed, how could she look them in the eye when they knew what happen to her. Hermione stood at the kitchen door watching the Weasley family, Mrs. Weasley tried not to cry but tears still fell.

Hermione notice Charlie standing in the corner of the room, his once chubby bright face seems thin and pale. “How are you felling?” Arthur asked noticing Hermione by the door. Everyone turned around and looked at her, Hermione took a few steps into the kitchen “I’m ok” she said in a small voice. Hermione could feel Charlie watching her but she didn’t dare look at him, Bill came over to her, she could see pain in his eyes.

“Its good to have you home” Bill said hugging Hermione lightly, he wasn’t sure if he should but when Hermione didn’t pull away he held onto her for a little longer. Molly wiped her eyes and started to make everyone breakfast.

They all sat down to eat, Hermione sat next to Bill while Charlie sat across from her. She tried to chew her food and swallow it but it taste like cardboard. After breakfast Ginny went to have a bath, Hermione hated to have baths or change her clothes, she didn’t like looking at her bruised body, she felt dirty.

Hermione sat up in her room looking out of the window. Today was October 19th; she couldn’t believe that last then four days ago her life was ripped away from her. People she loved had been taking away from her once again and now she had to pick up the pieces. In last then one week it will be the anniversary of her parent’s deaths, she decided to wipe October from her calendar, the mouth know longer existed.

Hermione pulled up the sleeves of Ron’s jumper she was wearing, her wrists had dark bruising on them, the rest of her body is far worst but she couldn’t look. Hermione remembered how angry Ron was when Draco bruised her wrists last year, she was glad in some way that Ron wasn’t here to see what Draco's father had accomplished.

A soft knock came to Hermione door, she pulled down the jumper sleeves and wiped the few tears that had falling “come in” she said trying to sound normal. The door opening slowly, Charlie face appeared in the doorway “Hey” he said softly. “Hi” she said before looking out of the window again.

Charlie opening the door a little wider “Can I come in?” he asked. Hermione remained looking out of the window “If you want to” she said bring her knees up to her chest. Charlie walked in slowly; he didn’t know what to say- he wasn’t sure if he had anything to say. “How are you feeling?” Charlie asked.

“Ok” Hermione answered simply, Charlie moved further into her room “You said that down stairs, how are you really feeling?” he asked again. Hermione held back tears, her hands started to shake, “I told you I’m fine” she snapped.

“Mum said you haven’t spoken much since…” Charlie broke off swallowing the lump in his throat. He was about to continue when Hermione said coldly “There’s nothing to talk about, life moves on” Charlie stared at the side of her face, he could see her lip had been split.

“Don’t isolate yourself from us, from me” Charlie said in a hurt voice. Tears started to slip down Hermione’s cheeks “What do you want me to say? What do you want from me? Hermione asked through tears.

Charlie was rooted to the floor, he didn’t know what he wanted her to say or do, selfishly he wanted Hermione to make him feel better, take his pain away. Charlie now knew what it felt like to be broken, he lost his little brother and Harry, and to top everything he couldn’t imagine what happen to the woman he love that same night.

“All I want is for you to talk to someone, talk to me, tell me how you feel” Charlie pleaded. Hermione wanted to put her arms around Charlie and comfort him like she did for Ginny but she couldn’t “I don’t feel, all I feel is numb” Hermione said after a short silence.

“I feel numb too but you still have to talk about how you feel, you can’t bottle up your emotions…” “You want to know how I feel-fine I’ll tell you” Hermione yelled at him “I feel empty-broken-dirty” Hermione was now on her feet crying as she spoke.

“I should have been there with him-them-if I would have been there I could…” Hermione was unable to finish her sentence because she broke down completely. Charlie trto gto go to her, tried to hold her in his arms but Hermione pulled away “Don’t touch me” she yelled at him angrily. Charlie looked stricken; he took a few steps back from her.

“Ron died saving Harry…” Charlie began but Hermione cut him off, “And it didn’t make a difference-Harry still died-their both gone and I’m here alone” Hermione said as bitter tears fell. She cried into her hands, she couldn’t look at Charlie, she hated him seeing her like this. Hermione felt Charlie’s arms go around her, she tried to pull away but he held onto her, gently whispering “Its ok, I promise everything is going to be ok”. Hermione broke down in Charlie’s arms and cried against his chest.

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Thanks to my anonymous Reviewer.

Next chapter Hermione returns to school.